Battle of Chrysopolis

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Battle of Chrysopolis
Part of Wars of Constantine I
Image of Constantine
Date 18 September 324 [1] Location Chrysopolis, near Chalcedon Result Constantinian victory
Belligerents
Constantine I	Licinius
Commanders
Constantine	Licinius

v • d • e Battles of Constantine I Turin – Verona – Milvian Bridge – Cibalae – Mardia – Adrianople – Hellespont – Chrysopolis

The Battle of Chrysopolis was fought on 18 September 324 in Chrysopolis (Üsküdar), near Chalcedon (Kadıköy), between Constantine I and Licinius. The defeat of Licinius left Constantine the only emperor, and thus ended the Tetrarchy.

The battle was the final encounter between the two emperors, since Licinius was withdrawing to Bithynia after the defeat in the naval Battle of Hellespont by hand of Crispus, Constantine's son and caesar.^{[2] [3]}

[edit] Result

In 324, Constantine defeated his last foe, Licinius, in a battle at Chrysopolis, and became sole emperor of the Roman empire. He came to the east as a liberator, establishing peace for pagan and Christian alike and chose the city of Byzantium as his new capital. ^[4]

Soon after his victory in AD 324, he outlawed pagan sacrifices, now feeling far more at liberty to enforce his new religious policy. The treasures of pagan temples were confiscated and used to pay for the construction of new Christian churches. Gladiatorial contests were outlawed and new laws were issued prohibiting sexual immorality. Jews, in particular, were forbidden from owning Christian slaves.

The battle also opened the prisons throughout the east, and set free all who were suffering for their Christian faith.^[5]

[edit] References

[edit] See also

• Constantine I
• Battle of the Hellespont
• Battle of Adrianople